"Reform No. 4. -- a great reform in the character of the soldier will be effected by having every soldier ... honorably marked with indelible ink on the fore-arm... two dots, oo, or a line, -----, or a chevron, < ... signifying an honorably enlisted soldier. These men when they come to re-enlist will be recognized as having been honorable soldiers...

Now, this simple escutcheoning will remedy a great evil. To-day the land is full of deserters..."